Originally, Fan Qing had cleared some time in his schedule for Jiang Mian.
Almost immediately, he realized—he could go visit Nie Luo on set.
Nie Luo’s long-awaited “boyfriend perk” had arrived!
He was here, just like that—no hesitation.
So, at two in the afternoon, after Nie Luo had just finished his makeup in the dressing room, a commotion outside caught his attention.
Before he could think much, fragmented voices from outside spoke in surprise.
“Someone’s visiting the set?”
“Yeah, yeah! They said they came to see Teacher Nie!”
“What? They actually came to see Teacher Nie?”
“Really? Who is it?”
“Not sure… but they even brought milk tea and snacks. Should we get them?”
“Of course! Never seen a visit to Teacher Nie on Weibo this often.”
A visit to the set?
In an instant, Nie Luo’s mind snapped into focus.
Could it be A Qing?
He was about to stand when a tall figure appeared at the doorway.
Fan Qing, smiling, gently tapped on the door.
“Hope I’m not disturbing anyone. I just happened to be passing by and remembered Nie Ge was here, so I thought I’d come by.”
Everyone in the dressing room greeted him immediately.
No surprise there! With the recent attention on Jian Fei Yang and Fan Qing, anyone with sense wouldn’t ignore Fan Qing and risk losing face.
“Manager Fan, you’re joking. Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year, Manager Fan! Don’t mind us—we’ll just sneak a little treat.”
“Happy New Year! Don’t mind us, feel free.”
Fan Qing smiled and gestured politely.
“No disturbance intended. I just came to say hello to Nie Ge. I brought some milk tea and snacks—if no one minds, feel free to take some, or I can ask my assistant to help.”
Everyone was grateful and made a little space, except for a few tied up with work, letting Fan Qing speak with Nie Luo privately.
Being in the industry, they all had a sense of etiquette.
Fan Qing took the chance to step closer to Nie Luo.
“Nie Ge, this is just for you.”
Nie Luo glanced at it.
All his favorite flavors—clearly prepared just for him.
He was thrilled but only allowed a subtle expression in his eyes.
More than that, it wasn’t just that Fan Qing remembered his tastes—it was the fact that he actually showed up to the set, which made Nie Luo even happier.
After all, their chances to meet were rare.
“You really came.”
He couldn’t say it outright, but his eyes betrayed a hint of hidden emotion.
“Last time you said you’d visit, I thought you might be too busy.”
A few others in the dressing room pricked up their ears.
It seemed Manager Fan and Nie Luo really had a close relationship?
No wonder he came during the New Year—it wasn’t spontaneous; it had been discussed before.
Fan Qing understood Nie Luo’s feelings perfectly.
His usual flamboyance was toned down, appearing much more appropriate, eyes quietly filled with affection.
“After all, I promised Nie Ge. I wouldn’t break my word.”
Nie Luo’s desired boyfriend perk—Fan Qing would, of course, provide.
Especially now, with their meetings becoming increasingly rare, he wanted to cherish every moment.
The two exchanged a glance.
In their eyes, a language only the two of them could understand flickered.
Nie Luo was busy, and even with Fan Qing there, he couldn’t spare much time.
After a few words, he was called over to review the script.
Fan Qing knew Nie Luo’s dedication to work.
He raised his phone toward Nie Luo with a slight shake.
“Nie Ge, you focus on your work. I happen to be free today, so I’ll just play with my phone.”
Nie Luo nodded and went off.
The others in the dressing room peeked at Fan Qing but didn’t dare approach.
Fan Qing didn’t mind.
He was a manager; being tactful was necessary, but he didn’t need to be excessively so.
He pulled out his phone.
“Playing with the phone” was just an excuse—he was really gathering information.
Time passed.
Long enough that Nie Luo had returned to his seat.
Fan Qing casually opened the Weibo trending page.
“Huh?”
Fan Qing murmured, a little puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
Nie Luo leaned closer, eyes wandering over him.
A Qing had come to visit the set!
The boyfriend perk he’d been hoping for!
Nie Luo couldn’t hide his delight.
If it weren’t so crowded, he might’ve hugged Fan Qing and given him a sweet kiss right there.
The thought left him with a twinge of longing.
The perk was here—but it was still missing just a little.
One day, he hoped A Qing could come openly, officially as his boyfriend.
Nie Luo indulged in that daydream, lost in thought.
“…Didn’t expect her to show up. Hm? Bro? Nie Ge? You listening to me?”
Fan Qing only realized Nie Luo had been daydreaming.
Looking up, he saw Nie Luo’s simple, easy-to-read expression.
He’d come to the set, and Nie Luo was this happy?
That thought brought a faint smile to Fan Qing’s eyes.
Honestly, he was quite pleased.
Though if he could come openly as Nie Luo’s boyfriend… it would be even better.
Fan Qing’s mind wandered mischievously.
After all, then their meetings wouldn’t just be hugs—they could share a proper, passionate kiss.
Nie Luo snapped back to reality.
What had A Qing just said?
He cleared his throat.
“What did you just say?”
Fan Qing raised an eyebrow slightly.
Forget it—see through it, but don’t call it out.
Besides, this really wasn’t the place to say it aloud.
Fan Qing waved his phone again, casually repeating,
“A manager I know had a bit of an incident… kind of surprised me.”
“Why surprised?”
Nie Luo didn’t ask who it was.
Fan Qing’s acquaintances were all people Nie Luo knew, and as for managers… he could guess.
After a moment, he said, “You mean Jiang Mian?”
He added a small look in his eyes, almost seeking praise.
But as soon as it flashed, he realized the timing was wrong and quickly masked his emotions.
Annoying.
Frustrating.
He wanted to be complimented—but not here.
Nie Luo noticed the shift in mood again.
Fan Qing noticed it too.
Feeling wronged?
…Tsk, too bad—it’s not the place.
The two exchanged a glance.
Fan Qing: too bad.
Nie Luo: missed opportunity.
After the silent agreement, Fan Qing nodded.
“Yeah, it’s Jiang Mian. Seems like she had a falling-out with the artist she manages.”
But hadn’t Jiang Mian sought out A Qing for Wan Lian Lian?
Nie Luo felt puzzled.
Fan Qing, however, had a guess.
Still, it wasn’t the right place to discuss it.
And besides, there were too many little ears around.
Fan Qing casually glanced around and let out a quiet chuckle.
Well, it seems my visit to Nie Luo’s set really caught people’s attention.
Opposite him—didn’t you notice, makeup artist? The eyeliner is already up to the brow.
Fan Qing observed silently, then said to Nie Luo,
“We can chat later. Looks like you’re about to go on set.”
Gossip could wait for a private conversation later.
Fan Qing remained calm.
Nie Luo understood.
He nodded, “Okay, you go ahead first.”
He paused, then had a sudden idea.
“Free for dinner tonight?”
Fan Qing froze for a moment, then understood.
Nie Luo was subtly creating a legitimate excuse for the two of them to have dinner together.
How could he miss such an opportunity?
Fan Qing smiled and spoke,
“Sure, but let me treat, Nie Ge. Should I make a reservation now?”
A Qing understands me!
Nie Luo couldn’t hide the smile in his eyes.
“Then you book it. We’ll meet after filming tonight.”
The two exchanged another glance.
Nie Luo: A Qing really gets me.
Fan Qing: Nie Luo’s easy to understand.
After the visit, Fan Qing quickly booked a highly rated private restaurant.
Since it was the New Year period, he had to call in a favor using the Jin Si privileges.
Looks like he’d owe Jin Si a little surprise later.
Fan Qing thought this while turning his attention to the online trending news.
Jiang Mian really ran into trouble.
She hadn’t expected it herself.
And it was all because of Wan Lian Lian.
When she slammed the door in a daze that day, she knew trouble was coming.
Jiang Mian had planned to take a bit of time to calm down before formally discussing ending her cooperation with Wan Lian Lian.
She had invested so much genuine care over the years.
But that care was trampled by Wan Lian Lian—there was no reason to stay and humiliate herself further.
What Jiang Mian didn’t expect was that the next morning, her world had completely changed.
The company called her a dozen times, friends and colleagues sent messages—everyone she knew.
She had ignored her phone last night due to her mood and the battery being dead.
When she woke up, she realized what she had missed.
Wan Lian Lian had publicly attacked her online.
The only thought running through Jiang Mian’s mind: the villain strikes first.
She read the post.
And all she could do was laugh.
“Wan Lian Lian v: I didn’t want to spoil the festive New Year atmosphere, but my manager has long tried to strictly control my career and even my personal life. This time, she ignored my opinions at the red carpet event, even barged into my private residence to intimidate me, threatening that if I didn’t comply, she would smear me online for accepting someone else’s unspoken rules.
I can no longer endure this. After years of tolerance, this time she has gone too far—I must speak out…”
The post went on with a detailed list of accusations—all aimed at Jiang Mian.
For the first time, Jiang Mian realized Wan Lian Lian could write like this.
And all the restrictions Jiang Mian had imposed, supposedly for Wan Lian Lian’s benefit… were seen as persecution.
Soon, calls poured in from the artists she managed—each saying the same thing: they were leaving Jiang Mian.
It was Wan Lian Lian’s doing.
Or rather, it was CEO Li’s plan.
He was preemptively striking to prevent Jiang Mian from exposing the previous incident.
In that instant, Jiang Mian understood.
But she shivered all over.
She could understand CEO Li’s actions—but Wan Lian Lian?
She had devoted years of care and effort into Wan Lian Lian, only to be completely cut off?
In Wan Lian Lian’s heart, their years of bond were worth nothing—so worthless that she wasn’t even given the chance to discuss it?